THE YANKEES BETTER WIN

Yesterday the 2009 New York Yankees debuted in their first spring training exhibition game. I may have noted recently why the team’s “gigantic edge in financial resources” is hardly the end-all be-all factor to assure a championship, but, in my view, they have no excuse not to win the World Series this year.

Of all years, the Yankees ability to outspend should “guarantee” a ticker tape parade in the Canyon of Heroes this November. I even consider it their patriotic duty considering the carnage Wall Street has been experiencing (tongue in cheek!). When the well-funded Boston Red Sox balk at making any serious attempt to acquire Mark Teixeira, an ideal long-term fit for their roster, things have clearly gone out of whack. At least for now the Yankees continue to operate in their own economic stratosphere, aided in no small part by the tailwind of opening the new stadium (beyond 2009 is anyone's guess). The Steinbrenner family has shown disdain for fiscal prudence before so I still expect them to wield there almighty pocketbook to procure any necessary parts as the season progresses; relinquishing young talent won't be required this year! This stands to reason becuse the family wealth is primarily concentrated in baseball and not other interests (like commodities trading) so they should be less affected by the economy (for now).

Even as a Yankee fan, however, I readily agree that the current system is perverse and not healthy for the sport despite the irritating fact that the Red Sox have been most vociferous in the call for a salary cap. Why are the Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics or Pittsburgh Pirates not pounding the table? Like I said before, the probability of contraction is not insignificant as this global depression will probably end in tears.

Without further ado, I would like to see the following lineup be the primary version by June:

1. LF – L, DAMON, Johnny (playing for a contract)
2. SS – R, JETER, Derek (can’t move left, so he better still hit)
3. 1B – S, TEIXEIRA, Mark (nice to have Alex around to occupy the media, eh)
4. 3B – R, A-ROID (sigh, please win the MVP again)
5. 2B – L, CANO, Robinson (capable of besting Pedroia’s 2008 MVP campaign)
6. DH – L, MATSUI, Hideki (a nice luxury item to have around if knees hold up)
7. CF – S, SWISHER, Nick (great value signing, I project to outperform Nady)
8. RF – R, NADY, Xavier (playing for a contract)
9.   C  – S, POSADA, Jorge (38, I expect a new starter by year-end)

The Yankees are an old bunch so there will be plenty of AB’s for the bench, and I obviously have no faith in the stability at the catcher position.  I also don't think there is a need to insert a mediocre offensive player to start the game at CF, like Brett Gardner, especially when a GB pitcher is on the mound or when facing a top caliber opposing pitcher. If healthy, this team should comfortable score over 900 runs.

I would like to see the following rotation by June:

L, C.C. Sabathia (it’s nice to have Alex around to occupy the media, eh)

R, Chien-Ming Wang (power GB pitcher to break up the power K guys)

R, A.J. Burnett (should thrive with a gaggle of bigger stars around)

R, Phil Hughes (we know he has it)

L, Andy Pettitte (still a huge mismatch vs other team’s #5s)

Clearly the omission of Joba Chamberlain from the above list is glaring. However, I believe he is still too immature to serve in an already well-stocked rotation. The Yankees are MUCH better served using him to firm up the end-game bridge to Mariano Rivera. At best, guys like Brian Bruney and Damaso Marte are suited for the 6^th or 7^th innings. There is also that minor issue of Rivera coming off of surgery at 39 and Joba being shut down last year himself with injury. He’s still a baby, and his arm needs to be protected until he grows up figuratively and literally. Please.

Conclusion:  This year we should see a much worse-than-normal disparity between the haves and have-nots in MLB so I expect a healthy 2009 Yankees to sweep the floor with its AL rivals. In particular, I don’t expect the AL East to be nearly as competitive as most would expect by merely extrapolating last year’s results. The Yankees made massive upgrades while I forecast Red Sox offensive production to decline, and Rays to buckle from loftier expectations; not exactly wild predictions. All of the above suggests a realistic shot at a 108-victory regular season campaign.